Safety update for boaters in vicinity of Bruce site

Bruce Power is informing boaters of the presence of thermal monitoring stations in the vicinity of the Bruce site, which contain ropes that pose a risk of entangling in propellers.

Bruce Power conducts long-term and continuous monitoring of the thermal water plume from the Bruce A and B outflows in order to determine the extent and duration of the plume, seasonal variations, and to verify that site operations are causing no significant adverse environmental impacts.

There have been 25 monitoring stations deployed since the last fall, and they will remain in place until May, when the current winter stations will be replaced with a summer configuration, where surface marker buoys are used.

The monitoring stations span from McRae Point, south of the Bruce site, to MacGregor Point, to the north. They are deployed between five and 20 metres of depth. The map and coordinates provided indicate where the stations are located close to shore, and they extend off shore about 2.5 km.

A series of ropes connect the anchors and the temperature loggers. Due to natural conditions in the lake, such as currents and wave action, it’s possible for the anchors to shift position, allowing the ropes to rise closer to the surface than intended. With the lack of ice accumulation on the lake surface this winter, there is now the potential for boat propellers to make contact with the ropes. Bruce Power requests that boaters exercise caution, be aware and remain mindful of the hazard while in the vicinity of the Bruce site.

The winter configuration is depicted in the diagram below:

Locations of Thermal Monitoring Stations

GPS locations of Thermal Monitoring Stations

No.

Latitude

Longitude

1

44.43815056

-81.51555112

3

44.41998588

-81.49400259

4

44.40139398

-81.54438646

6

44.37740749

-81.58418156

7

44.38242901

-81.56542563

8

44.37039075

-81.59361103

10

44.37157846

-81.5670347

13

44.36175077

-81.59969646

14

44.35186272

-81.5599877

17

44.34943054

-81.55916426

18

44.34435673

-81.56288373

19

44.34322039

-81.58871835

20

44.338290

-81.593820

21

44.33370274

-81.60275142

22

44.330150

-81.603883

23

44.3021582

-81.6032006

24

44.32286653

-81.61681952

27

44.28706214

-81.61106165

29

44.26700777

-81.62288332

31

44.35731397

-81.57786311

32

44.35014326

-81.58866362

33

44.34043701

-81.56217261

35

44.250600

-81.622120

37

44.255760

-81.631210

38

44.439230

-81.495460

If you have any questions about the monitoring or to report any misplaced or damaged equipment, contact John Peevers at 519-361-2673 x6583, email john.peevers@brucepower.com or call the Duty Media Officer at 519 361-6161.

About Bruce Power
Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable, low-cost nuclear power to families and businesses across the province. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.